Which video light?

bass_junkie83

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I want to get a video light to use with my 5Dmk2.

I have found a few that have made it onto my short list. I am trying to keep away from anything that uses non standard batteries, AA's are preferable.

I am edging towards this one.
http://www.focalprice.com/DI0120B/Cool_SD_YN1410_Digital_Camera_Flashlight_Black.html?Currency=GBP


But there is also
http://www.focalprice.com/DIA10B/YONGNUO_SYD1509_135_LED_Video_Light_Black.html?Currency=GBP

and
http://www.focalprice.com/DT229B/Professional_LED_Photography_Light_Black.html?Currency=GBP

What are your thoughts?
 
Not much use to your question but I'm making one using bits a pieces from maplins and eBay .200 led panel for a total cost of £25.00 with dimmer switch
 
cheesycam blog will have answers as to which one you want, have a browse. I think it's the last one of the ones you linked.
 
Not much use to your question but I'm making one using bits a pieces from maplins and eBay .200 led panel for a total cost of £25.00 with dimmer switch

Gotta agree here, you can make your own for so much cheaper. And it's fun to make stuff :D
 
Duke_Haphazard said:
Gotta agree here, you can make your own for so much cheaper. And it's fun to make stuff :D

You do realise there is more to a pro video light than just $25 of bits from maplins right? They are designed to maintain an even colour balance even when dimmed, ruggedly built to with stand years of abuse, built to accept camcorder/dslr batteries so you can power your accessories off the same batteries the list goes on
 
You do realise there is more to a pro video light than just $25 of bits from maplins right? They are designed to maintain an even colour balance even when dimmed, ruggedly built to with stand years of abuse, built to accept camcorder/dslr batteries so you can power your accessories off the same batteries the list goes on

Full Hollywood movies have been made with DIY lighting. Robert Rodriguez made a documentary explaining how to really keep a tight budget when making a movie, it explains a lot in it. Just a matter of where you put the light and how you use it.
 
jacob12_1993 said:
Fair enough for one film but if you are a pro and taking paid jobs are you going to rely on something you knocked up in the garage for $25?

Well that almost exactly what my video tutor advised me to do!
 
jacob12_1993 said:
Each to their own :D

On the basis that for the last twenty years he's been a cameraman, director, producer and now runs his own freelance production company, I'll trust him!

Btw, he also uses a CCTV lens on the front of his camera!
 
jacob12_1993 said:
You do realise there is more to a pro video light than just $25 of bits from maplins right? They are designed to maintain an even colour balance even when dimmed, ruggedly built to with stand years of abuse, built to accept camcorder/dslr batteries so you can power your accessories off the same batteries the list goes on

Yeah but the ops links arnt exactly "pro" video lights
 
jacob12_1993 said:
Fair enough for one film but if you are a pro and taking paid jobs are you going to rely on something you knocked up in the garage for $25?

Most definatly, rather than some under paid soul in a factory on the other side of the world, I've never had to repair anything I've made but I've had to return plenty of faulty goods to shops
 
Buy one rather than make.... if only cos soldering that many LEDs will do your head in, not worth it for the tenner difference :P
 
Buy one rather than make.... if only cos soldering that many LEDs will do your head in, not worth it for the tenner difference :P

Absolutely. Just to be clear I wasn't suggesting a homemade LED bank- far too much hard work & I'm crap with glue! :lol:

However, the point that I was making is that not everything you use has to have 'photography' branded all over it; for example B&Q builders lights make perfectly good constant light for about £25 with stand, providing you do a custom WB first (which you would with video first anyway....wouldn't you?).
 
DemiLion said:
Absolutely. Just to be clear I wasn't suggesting a homemade LED bank- far too much hard work & I'm crap with glue! :lol:

However, the point that I was making is that not everything you use has to have 'photography' branded all over it; for example B&Q builders lights make perfectly good constant light for about £25 with stand, providing you do a custom WB first (which you would with video first anyway....wouldn't you?).

I thought you meant LED, if its just for halogen lights a few builders lights will work great on a budget
 
hah, couple of times now I've rushed out and bought home security floodlights, cable and a plug as emergency washes for filming jobs...
 
Cheers guys.

I know I can make something, and am aware it is more involved than just afew LED's. But I would rather save my time, lay out some cash and not have something that looks like a Blue Peter competition entry stuck on top of my camera. :lol:

I shall take a look on cheesycam and see what they say.
 
After a bit more research, the F&V Z96 seems to be the one to go for if on a lower budget. So hopefully that will be here in about a week. Can't wait to get out there and have a play!
 
the F&V Z96 seems to be the one to go for

Yeah you are right there! I got 4 of them!

Very nice even light, easy to set up on tripods, they can snap together to make one large panel. The build quality is very good, also they come with 2 diffusers which stick on to the front with magnets.

Not sure what you are going to use it for, but one might be a bit too weak for really bad lighting conditions, esp with the diffuser on. I shoot corporate interviews sometimes in typical dingy offices and found you really want 2 to be able to use some of this lower ISOs.
 
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